Container provided with a closure

ABSTRACT

In an outer container (1) there is disposed an inner container (2) which contains the product to be withdrawn in portions. On the top of a container cover (4) there is a diaphragm-like body (6) with a bore (7) for the emergence of the product. When not in use, the diaphragm-like body (6) lies tightly against a plug (8) which closes the bore (7). The plug (8) is joined by ribs (10) to a ring (11) to which the inner container, consisting of soft material, is fastened. The container cover (4) and the ring (11) are joined together by interlocking. When the outer container (1) is squeezed a pressure develops in the interstice between the two containers, which interstice can be shut off by an air valve (15), and by this pressure a certain amount of the product is forced out of the inner container (2) between the plug (8) and the yielding diaphragm-like body (6), whereupon the diaphragm-like body (6) returns again to the sealing position. The product is thus always protected against the access of air.

The invention relates to a container having a closure, for theaccommodation of fluid products which can be removed in portions by theapplication of pressure to the flexible container.

The term "fluid products" is to be understood to mean all liquids aswell as pastes and creams of different consistencies, and foods ofcomparable nature, such as syrup, mustard or ketchup. Thus, containersof this kind, from which a product is forced out by exerting pressure onthe container, contain for example liquid soap, lotions, toothpaste,deodorants etc., or foods such as mustard, mayonnaise etc. Many productsof this kind are marketed in squeeze tubes, but these tubes have theknown disadvantages that one often forgets to replace the screw cap, sothat the product dries out, or is altered by the access of air which forexample oxidizes it or spoils it. Another disadvantage consists in thefact that tubes that have been squeezed or rolled up from one end areunsightly, when the contents have been withdrawn carelessly and aresmeared around the edge of the opening.

Furthermore, a variety of containers for the accommodation of productsof the kind described above are known, and are preferably made of softplastic with valve-like closures. Many of them, however, have thedisadvantage that, when in use, they do not work or cannot be actuatedat all in some positions, or that, since the center of gravity of thecontainer is unfavorably located, it easily falls over when onlypartially full. These known closures for the removal of the content inportions usually do not protect the content against undesirable accessof air, or from the oxidation or spoilage of the product.

The problem on which the present invention is based was therefore tocreate a container having a closure, which would be just as inexpensiveas a squeeze tube, but which would not have its disadvantages. Thecontainer was to permit an amount of the contained product to bewithdrawn as often as desired without losing its original externalshape, requiring only a pressure on the container without removing ascrew closure or having to replace it. The product at the same time wasto be able to be sealed off air-tight, again without such a screwclosure. The container was to be able to be used while it stands uprighton its base or in any other position, and its peripheral surface was tobe able to be of any desired shape, such as cylindrical or polygonal, soas to have a great variety of possible configurations. It wasfurthermore to be possible to reuse the container with a refill.

For the solution of these problems, the container with a closure has thefeatures according to the independent claim 1. Preferred embodimentswill be seen in the dependent claims.

The invention is further explained with the aid of the drawings whereindifferent embodiments of the subject matter of the invention arerepresented only by way of example.

FIG. 1 is a cross section through a double-walled container whoseclosure is shut,

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the container of FIG. 1 whose closure isopen,

FIG. 3 is a cross section of a container similar to FIG. 1, with amodified embodiment of the container lid,

FIG. 4 is a cross section of a double-walled container whose cover has adischarge passage at an angle,

FIG. 5 is a cross section through a double-walled container similar toFIG. 3, with a modified embodiment of the air valve,

FIG. 6 is a detail in the area of the air valve, as seen in thedirection of the arrow A,

FIG. 7 is a detail on a larger scale of a variant embodiment of theclosure,

FIG. 8A is a detail on an enlarged scale of the upper part of theclosure of a container which is not shown, showing a modified embodimenthaving a side orifice and a mechanical lock in the closed state,

FIG. 8B is an embodiment similar to FIG. 8A, having a manually operatedmechanism for opening and closing disposed opposite the dischargeorifice,

FIGS. 9A and B represent another modified embodiment of a closure whoseorifice can be controlled by air and/or by the fluid product,

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a closure having an orifice whichcan be operated by air and/or by liquid products,

FIGS. 11, 12, 12A and 13 show four different variants of anotherembodiment similar to FIG. 10, with an additional air valve for pressureequalization in the container.

The container having a closure according to FIG. 1 has an externalcontainer 1 consisting, for example, of plastic material, which is suchthat the container can be squeezed and then recovers its original shape.In the external container 1 there is disposed an additional thin-walledcontainer 2 which consists of a material which makes it possible for theinner container 2 to be completely emptied upwardly under the action ofthe pressure prevailing in the interstice between the inner container 2and the outer container 1. The two containers therefore are not attachedto one another at their bottom portion. On the upper margin 3 of theouter container 1 there is placed a container cover 4. This cover has atits top center a cylindrical neck portion 5 which is closed off at thetop by a thin-walled, diaphragm-like body 6 which is made preferably ofplastic material integral with the neck portion and differs from it onlyin its thickness. In the diaphragm-like body 6 a bore 7 is formed in itscenter. A plug 8 having a preferably conical sealing surface 9 engagesthis bore. The plug 8 is fixedly joined to a cylindrical ring 11 whichis integral with an additional ring 12 to which the inner container 2 isfastened at its upper margin. An annular portion 13 of the containercover 4 is engaged between the two rings 11 and 13 in order to produce astrong and tight junction between the container cover 4 and the portionconsisting of the two rings 11 and 12, the junction being accomplishedin a known manner by means of a snap-fastening bead.

In non-use, a cap 14 is additionally placed on the cylindrical neckportion 5. With a projection disposed in its center, this cap pressesthe diaphragm-like body 6 against the plug 8 to doubly assure a tightseal. The diaphragm-like body 6, consisting preferably of plasticmaterial, has an inherent bias such that the discharge orifice 7 isalways closed and the access of air to the product in the innercontainer 2 is prevented.

In the container cover 4 there is furthermore provided an air valve 15.This consists of an offset bore 16 which is closed off at the bottom bya screen in the form of a perforated disk 17. In the expanded portion ofthe through-bore 16 there is provided a ball 18 above the screen 17which can close off the narrower portion of the through-bore above it.This happens when the outer container 1 is squeezed in the direction ofthe arrows B in FIG. 2. The ball 18 of the air valve 15 is then in anupper position, so that the air present in the interstice between theouter container 1 and the inner container 2 cannot escape. By means ofthis air cushion, the product contained in the inner container 2 can beforced upwardly out of the closure in portions. If the pressureexercised by hand on the outer container 1 terminates, air can reenterthe interstice between the two containers.

The container can be top-filled with the product or it can bebottom-filled, the container bottom being closed after filling iscompleted. The inner container 2 can also be configured like the end ofa squeeze tube, or it can be made such that, after the contents havebeen used up, it can be replaced with a fresh container. The innercontainer 2 can also be coated with aluminum for very aggressiveproducts. To be able to withdraw only a specific amount of product eachtime, it is also possible to provide, in the interstice between theinner and outer containers, a movement limiter in the form of a ringbeyond which the outer container 1 cannot be squeezed.

The embodiment represented in FIG. 3 differs from the embodimentsdescribed before only in the different configuration of thediaphragm-like body 6, which is a separate piece so constructed that itcan be placed on the upwardly prolonged ring 11 by means of a margin.The diaphragm-like body 6 can be joined directly to the container cover4 by a laterally appended strap 20 and made integral with the cover outof plastic material. The cap 14 can also be joined to the two parts justreferred to by means of a strap made in one piece with them. Thissimplified embodiment according to FIG. 3 makes it possible to assemblethe diaphragm-like body 6 and the cap 14 prior to the filling operationand then install them together on the container cover 4. The connectingstrap 20, which is necessary for the simultaneous production of thecontainer cover 4 of the diaphragm-like body 6 and the cap 14 by theinjection-molding process, can be severed afterward. For top filling,the outer container 1 can be already provided with the cover 4 and theinner container 2 can already be provided with the rings 11 and 12fastened to the upper margin, so that then it is necessary only toinstall the diaphragm-like body 6 together with the cap 14, although ofcourse they can also be installed successively.

The embodiment represented in FIG. 4 is a modification of the embodimentaccording to FIG. 1, and differs from the latter only in theconfiguration of the cap 21 which contains in its interior a laterallydirected passage 22 leading to a radial discharge nozzle 23. This cap 21is placed onto an upwardly prolonged neck portion 24 of the containercover 4. The cap 21 makes it possible to let the product emerge in aspecific direction. The cap 21 also can be made such that the productemerges vertically when the container is used with the nozzle pointingdownwardly. The cap 21 is intended for containers holding a productwhich is insensitive to the access of air and/or which does not dry out.The cap 21 is pressed downwardly to provide double assurance of anair-tight seal.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6 is another simplification ofthe embodiment according to FIG. 3. The difference is that the innercontainer 2 is fastened, e.g., by welding the plastic material, directlyto the underside of the container cover 4 at an outwardly turned margin25. In this manner the air valve can be more simply constructed, inthat, instead of the ball 18 in FIG. 1, the margin 25 covers the bore 27in the container cover 4. In FIG. 6 there is represented, as seen in thedirection of the arrow A, a section of the margin 25 which is not weldedaround the bore 27 in the container cap in the area defined by thebroken line, so that the margin can lift away from the container coverto allow air to enter into the interstice between the outer container 1and the inner container 2. When the outer container 1 is squeezed, thisair valve closes since the margin 25 covers the bore 27. Anotherdifference consists in the fact that, on account of the inner container2 extending upwardly all the way to the container cover 4, the ringjoined to the inner container 2 in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1to 4 is not present, and instead a neck 11a integral with the cover 4 isconnected by the ribs 10 to the plug 8.

The variant represented in enlarged detail in FIG. 7 also has a plug 8which cooperates with a diaphragm-like body 30, and which is ofthimble-like configuration and has an inwardly curved circumferentialwall 31 whereby the body made in this shape of plastic material has abias such that it bears against the top of the plug to close off thedischarge orifice. The pressure of the product present in the containerthen forces the body 30 to the position represented in broken lines,from which the body resiliently returns to the position represented insolid lines.

In FIGS. 8A and 8B, which are enlarged details of the upper part 35 of aclosure in which the discharge orifice 36 is disposed not at the top butlaterally in the upper part 35. In regard to the valve-like means, incontrast to the previously described embodiments, the principle is herereversed, and the plug 38 moves relative to a stiff facing 39 whichcloses off the front of the product discharge chamber 40 and is part ofthe upper part 35 of the closure. In this embodiment, the diaphragm-likebody 41 is joined to the plug 38 at a distance from the facing 39, whilesurrounding the plug annularly and shutting off the chamber 40 in theupper part 35 from the exterior. The diaphragm like body 41 has aclosing bias and, under the pressure of the product in chamber 40,yields in the opposite direction so that the discharge orifice 36 isopened.

A cap 42 covering the top and side of upper part 35 in FIG. 8A can bepushed back and forth in the direction of the arrows and can be held intwo positions, detents 43 and 44 being provided for this purpose for thetwo positions. The cap 42 secures the closed position. The embodimentaccording to FIG. 8A is furthermore equipped with an outer container 1,not shown, and an inner container 2 as in the embodiments according toFIGS. 1 to 5. If, however, only one container holding the product ispresent, which is in the form of a so-called squeeze bottle into whichair must reenter through the discharge opening after withdrawal of aportion of the product, the upper part of this closure is constructed inaccordance with FIG. 8B. Here the plug 38 is pulled mechanicallydownwardly away from the discharge orifice 36 by means of a plate 81which can pivot about an axis 80, whenever pressure is exerted againstthe plate 81 below the pivot axis 80. The diaphragm-like body 41 has nobias in this case and the closure remains open because the pivotingplate 81 bears against a slightly projecting detent 82, and not untilpressure is applied to the plate above the fulcrum 80 can it be returnedto the closed position, in which case the plate snaps over the detent82.

In a variant that is not shown, the embodiment according to FIG. 8A canalso be operated on the rear side instead of the top and the embodimentaccording to FIG. 8B can be operated at the top.

The embodiment represented in FIGS. 9A and 9B likewise has a lateraldischarge opening in a slightly differently configured upper part 45 ofthe closure of the container which is not otherwise represented. In thisembodiment, the principle described in the case of the embodimentsaccording to FIGS. 1 to 7 is again employed, a diaphragm-like body 46lifting away from the plug 47 and then assuming the position representedin broken lines. The diaphragm-like body 46 has a cylindricalprolongation 48 which is guided sealingly in an annular chamber 49. Apassage 50 leads into the chamber 49 and carries air under compressionin the direction of the arrow E into the annular chamber 49 in order toproduce the movement of the diaphragm-like body 46 in the openingdirection. The closure top 45 can be placed on a double-walled containerwhich is not shown and which, like the embodiment according to FIG. 1,has between an outer container and an inner container an interstice inwhich an elevated air pressure is produced by squeezing the outercontainer, and then it is utilized for the operation of thediaphragm-like body 46. The product then passes from the inner containerthrough the chamber 51 in the direction of the arrow F and along theplug 47 to the discharge orifice. Optionally, a cross bore 52 indicatedin broken lines can connect the chambers 49 and 51, so that thediaphragm-like body 46 is moved in the opening direction by the productand by compressed air. When the passage 50 is closed, the product actsexclusively from both chambers 49 and 51 against the diaphragm-like body46. In the embodiment according to FIG. 9B, the diaphragm-like body isconfigured at its outer margin as a flexible lipped sealing ring overwhich air can flow back into the interstice between an outer and aninner container in the case of a vacuum, the cross bore 52 then beingclosed. If only one container is present for the product, when there isa vacuum in the container, air passes into it over the lipped sealingring.

The same principle of actuation by air and/or product under pressure isalso employed in the embodiment according to FIG. 10, which is indicatedby the flow arrows E and F. In this embodiment, however, the principlepreviously described in conjunction with the embodiment according toFIG. 8A is applied to the opening and closing of the discharge orifice.The plug 55 moves relative to a stiff facing 57 in the upper part 60 ofthe closure. At the other end the plug section 58 of larger diameter isjoined to the diaphragm-like body 59. This body 59 has a closing biasand is fastened sealingly at its outer margin in the upper part 60.Between the plug 55 and its larger-diameter rearward section 58 aportion of it is in the form of a piston 61 which is sealingly movablein the cylindrical bore 62. Between the diaphragm-like body 59 and thepiston 61 there is thus a sealed chamber 63 into which the air undercompression enters in the direction of the arrow E through the passage64, so that the plug is moved rightward in the opening direction by thepressure exerted on the diaphragm-like body 59. This is possible onlywhen a cap 64, pivoted about the axis 66 and covering the upper part 60,has been brought to the position represented in broken lines. In theclosed position, the cap 65, by pressing against the rearward end of theplug 55, locks the latter in the closed position. The cap 65 is held inthis position by a snap-fastening projection 67. The plug 55-58 and thediaphragm-like body 59 consists preferably integrally of plasticmaterial. Optionally, the product flowing through the passage 68 canhere too be directed through a cross bore 69 against the diaphragm-likebody 59.

If the product is held in only a single container which is made offlexible plastic material in the form of a so-called squeeze bottle, airhas to get back into the container on the exit path of the product. Theembodiments according to FIGS. 11 to 13 differ, therefore, from theembodiment according to FIG. 10 in that no passage 64 is available forthe entry of air and the piston-like part 61 on the plug 55 is lacking.The product entering through the passage 68 arrives at thediaphragm-like body 59 in order to move the plug 55 in the openingdirection. The diaphragm-like body 59, which has a bias in the closingdirection, has a lipped sealing margin 70 radially outside of itsfastening margin, which is resiliently urged, since the materialconsists of plastic, against a ring 71 joined to the upper part 60, andwhich is lifted when a vacuum prevails in the container and allows airto enter into the container.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 12, a cavity 72 open toward therearward end of the plug is formed within the part of larger diameter 58of the plug 55, and an air valve 73 is disposed in this cavity which isheld in the closed position by spring action. The cavity 72 is connectedby a bore 74 to the chamber through which the product flows.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 13, a differently constructed valve75 is disposed at the same point within the plug section 58. Otherwisethe embodiments are alike.

All three embodiments according to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 can be modifiedas represented, for example, in FIG. 12A. In this case the part 58 ofthe plug 55-58 is in the form of a piston 61, so that a sealed chamber63 is present which is in communication through a passage 64 with theinterstice between an outer container 1 and an inner container 2, andfurthermore the chamber 63 is in communication with the cavity 72 in theplug portion 58 through a bore 78. On the path of flow thus established,the air can flow back, after the withdrawal of a certain amount of theproduct, into the interstice between the inner and outer containers andno air valve 15 is required in the container cover as it is in theembodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 4.

The different kinds of the closure described above can be used fordifferent types of containers, the different types of closures beingused according to the nature of the material they are to contain.

If an outer container and an inner container are present, the valve-likesystem in accordance with FIGS. 1 to 5, 7, 8A, 9 A and B, 10 and 12A canbe used, as well as 11 and 13 corresponding to 12A. If no innercontainer is present and the product is contained in only one container,the types of closures according to FIG. 8B and according to FIGS. 11 to13 can be used.

For a squeeze tube consisting of metal, such as for example a toothpastetube, the types of closure according to FIGS. 1 to 5, 7 and 8A and 9Aare suitable. Also, for such a tube consisting of plastic material, theclosures types of FIGS. 1 to 5 as well as 7, 8A and 9A can be used, inwhich case the plastic tube then keeps the deformed shape. If theclosure types of FIGS. 8B and 9B as well as 11 to 13 are used, a plastictube will regain its original shape after an amount of its content hasbeen squeezed out. The advantage is found in all variants that theclosure is functional with the container in any position.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus, comprising:a flexible container for a flowableproduct which can be dispensed in portions by the application ofpressure to the container, said container having a first opening; and aclosure for the container, said closure being positioned over saidopening and including an outlet valve which can be actuated by pressurefrom within said container, said closure with said outlet valvecomprising: a first member including a plug having a face with a sealingsurface, and a support structure for said plug; a second member having asecond opening aligned with said plug, said plug being receivable insaid second opening; means defining a product flow path extending fromsaid first opening to a position adjacent said plug such thatcommunication with said second opening is blocked by said plug when saidplug is received in said second opening; means for moving said first andsecond members relative to each other from a position in which said plugis in engagement with said second opening to block said communication toa position in which said plug is spaced from said second opening toallow communication between said product flow path and said secondopening such that said product can flow from said container, said movingmeans permitting one of said first and second members to move, and meansdefining a pressure flow path extending from said container to aposition adjacent said movable member for transmitting pressure fromsaid container to said movable member to space said plug from saidsecond opening, said moving means causing said pressure flow path andsaid product flow path to be completely separate from each other whensaid plug is engaged in said second opening and when said plug is spacedfrom said second opening.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe means for moving one of said members comprises a piston joined at anend section of the plug opposite the sealing surface of the plug, saidpiston being guided in a cylindrical passage formed in said closure sothat the plug is movable relative to tee second opening, and furtherincluding a portion of said closure which has a chamber sealed from theoutside atmosphere by a diaphragm-like body at one end thereof andsealed by the piston at the other end thereof, said pressure flow pathcomprising a passage that communicates said container with the chamber.3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second membercomprises a diaphragm-like body containing said second opening, andwherein said pressure flow path ends adjacent said diaphragm-like bodyfor directing pressure from said container to said diaphragm-like bodyto force said diaphragm-like body out of engagement with said plug. 4.An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said diaphragm-like bodyincludes a portion sealingly engaging an outer wall of said means fordefining said product flow path to separate said pressure flow path fromsaid product flow path.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 3, whereinthe container is a double-walled configuration including an externalcontainer and an internal container with an air space therebetween, saidinternal container containing the product and communicating with saidflow path, said air space between the internal container and theexternal container communicating with said pressure flow path such thatthe diaphragm-like body lift away from the sealing surface of the plugunder the effect of pressure.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 3further comprising an air vent means for permitting air to flow intosaid container, said vent means comprising a flexible lip on an outercircumference of said diaphragm-like body.
 7. An apparatus, comprising:aflexible container for a flowable product which can be dispensed inportions by the application of pressure to the container, said containerhaving a first opening; and a closure for the container, said closurebeing positioned over said first opening and including an outlet valvewhich can be actuated by pressure from within said container, saidclosure with said outlet valve comprising:a housing having a cavity; asecond opening formed in said housing; a plug disposed in said cavitywithin said housing, said plug having one end having a face with asealing surface; a support structure for said plug for movablysupporting said plug such that said plug can move between a firstposition in which said plug sealing surface engages said second openingand a second position in which said plug is spaced from said secondopening, said support structure including a reaction surface attached tosaid plug on an end opposite said sealing surface, a flexiblediaphragm-like body attached to said reaction surface, said flexiblediaphragm-like body having an outer periphery sealingly connected tosaid housing to form a chamber having said diaphragm-like body at oneend and said second opening at another end; a product flow path definedin said housing and extending from said container to said chamber, saidproduct flow path opening into said chamber at a position between saidsecond opening and said reaction surface; and an air valve disposed insaid reaction surface and communicating from ambient to said productflow path.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said secondopening is directed horizontally and said reaction surface faceshorizontally.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 7, including means forholding the air valve in a closed position by spring action when nopressure is applied to said container.
 10. An apparatus according toclaim 7, further including an air vent means for permitting air to flowinto said container, said vent means comprising a lipped sealing ringformed on the outer circumference of the diaphragm-like body.
 11. Anapparatus according to claim 7 further including a seal between saidreaction surface and an inner housing wall defining said cavity, saidflow path ending between said seal and said second opening, andincluding a pressure path formed in said housing between said containerand said cavity between said seal and said diaphragm-like body.
 12. Anapparatus according to claim 11, further including a transverse borecommunicating with the product flow path and the pressure path throughthe housing.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein thecontainer comprises a double walled structure having an inner containerportion and an outer container portion, said inner container portioncontaining said product, and said product flow path being incommunication with said inner container portion, said outer containerportion containing air and said pressure path communication with saidouter container portion.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 13 whereinthe diaphragm-like body has an outer margin configured as a lippedsealing ring over which air can flow back into the outer containerportion.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plug and thediaphragm-like body are of integral construction and comprises plastic.16. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the closure housingincludes an upper part which contains the plug, and wherein the closureincludes a pivoting cap enveloping the upper part of the closure housingsuch that the cap secures the plug in the closed position.